12.10.09

Casa Defilló Amiguet in Mayagüez

On Friday, the 9th of October 2009, through the generous assistance of Dinorah Rodríguez Torres, from the Office of the City of Mayagüez Property Management, and with the support of Hon. José Guillermo Rodriguez, Mayor of the City of Mayagüez, I was able to visit the historic home at 21 Calle Mendez Vigo where Pilar Defilló Amiguet, mother of Pau (Pablo) Casals, was born on November 11, 1853. The house was built in the 1840’s in the colonial neo-classic style and was the center of much social and cultural activity during Pilar’s childhood. The house is currently closed to the public but plans have been put forward to transform it into a museum. With many original features still intact, it was not difficult for me to imagine the Defilló Amiguet family living in the center the growing city of Mayagüez in the 1850’s.

I have included a few of the many photos that were taken. More will be shared in later posts as I continue to piece together the Puerto Rican childhood of Pilar Defilló Amiguet.